Re: TN whiskey vs. Bourbon

I know this is very unscientific, but if you go to www.jackdaniels.com and take the online tour, one of the tour guides will tell you that it is the charcoal mellowing that makes JD a Tennesse whisky and not a bourbon.

Re: TN whiskey vs. Bourbon

it is the charcoal mellowing that makes JD a Tennesse whisky and not a bourbon

Jeff, they've been saying that all along, as part of their marketing pitch (along with any other TN distiller and the US government which gave them their own "appellation"). I'm just trying to find legal evidence that TN whiskey is NOT bourbon. But I think it might be a bourbon, but more specifically a TN whiskey.

I still haven't decided whether JD's charcoal could be considered a
"flavoring" under 5.23. That's a judgement call, and would be the only
reason I can think of to disqualify JD from being a bourbon. If the
process gives the whiskey an "ashy" taste, then it might be adding
flavor.

Re: TN whiskey vs. Bourbon

I agree with you, Tim. And I will add two points: 1) The Tennessee whisky makers are trying to set themselves apart from bourbon by not referring to their product as bourbon and, 2) I have seen products (legally) labeled as Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that state that they are "charcoal filtered".

Re: TN whiskey vs. Bourbon

But havent we argued before that the sugar maple charcoal filetering BEFORE aging is a quick fix aginfg process. And wouldnt "aging" constitute adding flavor?? ALso I remember both BT &amp; HH mentioning "neutralized or actualized" charcoal, ie specificall mentioning they make their charcoal not to taste. JD's marketing at least implies their charcoal does.

Re: TN whiskey vs. Bourbon

Tim,

I think the charcoal filtering that KY Straight bourbon Whiskies are refering to is activated charcoal, which AFAIK doesn't impart anything into the whiskey. Sugar Maple Charcoal, again AFAIK, adds a subtle flavor to the finished product.

Re: TN whiskey vs. Bourbon

Thus the percents would determine whether JD is a "straight bourbon whiskey"
or merely a "bourbon whiskey".

Is there such a thing as a "bourbon whiskey" that is not a "straight whiskey"? I thought bourbon was a step further down the process, therefore to be a bourbon, it must first be a straight whiskey. Am I mistaken?

Re: TN whiskey vs. Bourbon

Here's an excerpt from the BATF liquor regulations. From section 5.22, this pertains to the identity of "whisky". The entire document has been available here for years. (b)(1)(iii) is the part you are after Jeff.

b) Class 2; whisky.

"Whisky" is an alcoholic distillate from a fermented mash of grain produced at less
than 190° proof in such manner that the distillate possesses the taste, aroma, and
characteristics generally attributed to whisky, stored in oak containers (except that
corn whisky need not be so stored), and bottled at not less than 80° proof, and also
includes mixtures of such distillates for which no specific standards of identity are
prescribed.

(1)(i) "Bourbon whisky", "rye whisky", "wheat whisky", "malt whisky", or "rye
malt whisky" is whisky produced at not exceeding 160° proof from a
fermented mash of not less than 51 percent corn, rye, wheat, malted barley,
or malted rye grain, respectively, and stored at not more than 125° proof in
charred new oak containers; and also includes mixtures of such whiskies of
the same type.

(ii) "Corn whisky" is whisky produced at not exceeding 160° proof from a
fermented mash of not less than 80 percent corn grain, and if stored in oak
containers stored at not more than 125° proof in used or uncharred new oak
containers and not subjected in any manner to treatment with charred wood;
and also includes mixtures of such whisky.

(iii) Whiskies conforming to the standards prescribed in paragraphs (b)(1)(i)
and (ii) of this section, which have been stored in the type of oak containers
prescribed, for a period of 2 years or more shall be further designated as
"straight"; for example, "straight bourbon whisky", "straight corn whisky", and
whisky conforming to the standards prescribed in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this
section, except that it was produced from a fermented mash of less than 51
percent of any one type of grain, and stored for a period of 2 years or more in
charred new oak containers shall be designated merely as "straight whisky".
No other whiskies may be designated "straight". "Straight whisky" includes
mixtures of straight whiskies of the same type produced in the same State.

(2) "Whisky distilled from bourbon (rye, wheat, malt, or rye malt) mash" is whisky
produced in the United States at not exceeding 160° proof from a fermented
mash of not less than 51 percent corn, rye, wheat, malted barley, or malted rye
grain, respectively, and stored in used oak containers; and also includes mixtures
of such whiskies of the same type. Whisky conforming to the standard of identity
for corn whisky must be designated corn whisky.

(3) "Light whisky" is whisky produced in the United States at more than 160°
proof, on or after January 26, 1968, and stored in used or uncharred new oak
containers; and also includes mixtures of such whiskies. If "light whisky" is mixed
with less than 20 percent of straight whisky on a proof gallon basis, the mixture
shall be designated "blended light whisky" (light whisky--a blend).

(4) "Blended whisky" (whisky--a blend) is a mixture which contains straight
whisky or a blend of straight whiskies at not less than 20 percent on a proof
gallon basis, excluding alcohol derived from added harmless coloring, flavoring
or blending materials, and, separately, or in combination, whisky or neutral
spirits. A blended whisky containing not less than 51 percent on a proof gallon
basis of one of the types of straight whisky shall be further designated by that
specific type of straight whisky; for example, "blended rye whisky" (rye whisky--a
blend).

(5) (i) "A blend of straight whiskies" (blended straight whiskies) is a mixture of
straight whiskies which does not conform to the standard of identify for "straight
whisky." Products so designated may contain harmless coloring, flavoring, or
blending materials as set forth in 27 CFR 5.23(a).

(ii) "A blend of straight whiskies" (blended straight whiskies) consisting
entirely of one of the types of straight whisky, and not conforming to the
standard for straight whisky, shall be further designated by that specific type
of straight whisky; for example, "a blend of straight rye whiskies" (blended
straight rye whiskies). "A blend of straight whiskies" consisting entirely of one
of the types of straight whisky shall include straight whisky of the same type
which was produced in the same State or by the same proprietor within the
same State, provided that such whisky contains harmless coloring, flavoring,
or blending materials as stated in 27 CFR 5.23(a).

(iii) The harmless coloring, flavoring, or blending materials allowed under this
section shall not include neutral spirits or alcohol in their original state.
Neutral spirits or alcohol may only appear in a "blend of straight whiskies" or
in a "blend of straight whiskies consisting entirely of one of the types of
straight whisky" as a vehicle for recognized flavoring of blending material.

(6) "Spirit whisky" is a mixture of neutral spirits and not less than 5 percent on a
proof gallon basis of whisky, or straight whisky, or straight whisky and whisky, if
the straight whisky component is less than 20 percent on a proof gallon basis.

(7) "Scotch whisky" is whisky which is a distinctive product of Scotland,
manufactured in Scotland in compliance with the laws of the United Kingdom
regulating the manufacture of Scotch whisky for consumption in the United
Kingdom: Provided, That if such product is a mixture of whiskies, such mixture is
"blended Scotch whisky" (Scotch whisky--a blend).

(8) "Irish whisky" is whisky which is a distinctive product of Ireland, manufactured
either in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland, in compliance with their
laws regulating the manufacture of Irish whisky for home consumption: Provided,
That if such product is a mixture of whiskies, such mixture is "blended Irish
whisky" (Irish whisky--a blend).

(9) "Canadian whisky" is whisky which is a distinctive product of Canada,
manufactured in Canada in compliance with the laws of Canada regulating the
manufacture of Canadian whisky for consumption in Canada: Provided, That if
such product is a mixture of whiskies, such mixture is "blended Canadian whisky"
(Canadian whisky--a blend).